System and method for remotely modifying software on a machine

Abstract

A system and method for updating software stored in control modules on a remotely-located machine. The current machine configuration is stored in a machine and a remote system, and the configuration in the remote system is monitored to determine if an update, such as an enhancement, “bug” fix, or new version, is available. If so, the owner of the machine is remotely notified and offered the update. If the owner accepts, the update is relayed to the machine system and flashed into the appropriate control module.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for updating software installed on a machine, the machine having at least one non-volatile memory for storing the software, comprising: 
 a remote data storage system for storing identifying information of said software;    a remote processor for monitoring said remote data storage system to determine if updates are available for said software; and    a remote communications system operably connected to said remote processor, said remote communications system receiving said available updates from said remote processor and relaying said available updates to said machine for storage in said non-volatile memory.    
     
     
         2 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an interface for notifying an owner of said machine of said available update.    
     
     
         3 . The system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said interface allows said owner to communicate acceptance of said available update and wherein said available update is relayed to said machine upon said owner communicating said acceptance.  
     
     
         4 . The system, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said interface includes an electronic message for notifying said owner.  
     
     
         5 . The system, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said electronic message includes a link to a web site allowing said owner to communicate acceptance of said available update.  
     
     
         6 . The system, as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a billing system operably connected to said remote processor for billing said owner for said accepted available update.    
     
     
         7 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a machine processor for polling said at least one non-volatile memory to collect said identifying information; and    a machine data storage system for storing said identifying information, said identifying information being relayed from said machine data storage system to said remote data storage system.    
     
     
         8 . The system, as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a machine communication system operably connected to said machine processor, said machine communication system receiving said available update from said remote communication system.    
     
     
         9 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said remote communication system comprises wireless communication means.  
     
     
         10 . The system, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said wireless communication means is a cellular system.  
     
     
         11 . The system, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said wireless communication means is a satellite system.  
     
     
         12 . A method for remotely updating software installed on a machine, the machine having at least one non-volatile memory for storing the software, comprising: 
 storing identifying information of said software in a remote data storage system;    monitoring said remote data storage system to determine if an update of said software is available;    relaying said available update from said remote data storage system to said machine; and    installing said available update in said non-volatile memory.    
     
     
         13 . The method, as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising the step of: 
 notifying an owner of said machine of the availability of said update.    
     
     
         14 . The method, as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of: 
 awaiting acceptance by said owner of said available update.    
     
     
         15 . The method, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said available update is installed in said non-volatile memory if said owner accepts said available update.  
     
     
         16 . The method, as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of: 
 billing said owner for said available update upon acceptance of said owner of said available update.    
     
     
         17 . The method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said owner is notified of said available update by an electronic communication.  
     
     
         18 . The method, as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said electronic communication includes a link to a web site allowing said owner to communicate acceptance of said available update.  
     
     
         19 . The method, as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said storing step includes the step of: 
 relaying said identifying information from said machine to said remote data storage system.    
     
     
         20 . The method, as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said storing step further includes the steps of: 
 polling said at least one non-volatile memory in said machine to obtain said identifying information; and    storing said identifying information in a machine data storage system.    
     
     
         21 . The method, as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said relaying step includes relaying said identifying information from a machine communication system to a remote communication system for storage in said remote data storage system.  
     
     
         22 . The method, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said available update is relayed by a remote communication system.  
     
     
         23 . The method, as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said remote communication system comprises wireless means.  
     
     
         24 . The method, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said wireless means is a cellular system.  
     
     
         25 . The method, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said wireless means is a satellite system.  
     
     
         26 . A system for updating software installed on a machine, the machine having at least one non-volatile memory for storing the software, comprising: 
 means for remotely storing identifying information;    means for remotely monitoring said stored identifying information to determine if updates are available, and    means for remotely communicating with the machine to relay said available updates to the machine for storage in said non-volatile memory.    
     
     
         27 . The system, as set forth in  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 means for notifying an owner of said machine of said available update.